The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has reached a new milestone in its fitness to practise process, completing 806 screening decisions in March 2025—surpassing the previous high of 797 in January. This marks another step forward in implementing recommendations from the Independent Culture Review, which urged faster case resolutions and streamlined investigations.
Progress Across the Fitness to Practise Process
Since April 2024, the NMC has delivered 10,405 case outcomes, averaging 867 decisions per month, a significant increase from the previous 12-month average of 780. The overall fitness to practise caseload has dropped to 6,357 as of March 2025, with cases resolved within the 15-month target rising to 68.4%, up from 67.1% in January. Older cases exceeding 18 months have declined by 39%, falling from 3,308 in March 2024 to 2,010 a year later.
Addressing Challenges
Despite these improvements, the NMC faces a rise in new referrals, with 546 per month on average—higher than 493 per month recorded the previous year. To counter this, the screening guidance has been updated to fast-track genuine regulatory concerns, while directing employer-resolvable cases elsewhere. Hearings are now scheduled further in advance, reducing administrative delays and boosting in-person hearings, which tend to be completed more efficiently than virtual alternatives. Additionally, the Professional Support and Engagement Team is expanding to provide clearer guidance and better wellbeing support to those involved in the fitness to practise process.
Looking Ahead
While the overall caseload is reducing, an increase in cases at the Investigations stage remains a concern. The NMC is actively working to reverse this trend, reinforcing its commitment to speeding up case progression and minimizing delays that could impact professionals undergoing fitness to practise proceedings.
Lesley Maslen, Executive Director of Professional Regulation, said:
“Our fitness to practise improvement plan is having a positive impact, from record screening decisions to a reduction in the number of older cases in our caseload. These improvements reflect the dedication of our colleagues and the focused changes we’re making to how we work.”
“At the same time, we know many people are still spending too long in our processes, especially in the later stages. We’re prioritising measures to speed up case progression through investigations and adjudications, to minimise the impact unnecessary delays can have on people. We’re also strengthening the wellbeing support available for everyone involved.”
“We remain determined that every case, no matter how complex, reaches an appropriate outcome at the earliest possible opportunity, reducing the anxiety and frustrations people can feel.”
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